In-Box Review

introduction

As you probably already know the Flakpanzer-I was created as a marriage between the Pz.kpfw. I Ausf A chassis and hull and a 2cm anti-aircraft gun Flak 38. Only 24 vehicles of this type were built. Some sources say that the conversion of the Pz.kpfw I Ausf. A chassis was done in Stoewe works, while others say it was completed in Alkett but I am not going to solve this question here, not this time. All of the Flakpanzer-I’s were sent to the 614 Flak Abteilung starting in May 1941 with their career ending during the Stalingrad battle, where all Flakpanzer-I’s were lost in combat or abandoned by their crews.

Instructions

The instruction sheet provides painting schemes for five options: four from the Flak.Abt 614, including one winter scheme and one two tone. The fifth scheme is a pure panzer grey without any individual markings described as “unidentified unit, 1942”

Review

Well, it's not easy to review something already reviewed by Bill Plunk and Jim Rae, two great and very talented modelers who are knowledgeable on this subject… Bill has reviewed the Pz.kpfw. I Ausf. A Smart Kit model (No. 6356)Bill's Review
And Jim took a look at the Flakpanzer I kit (No. 6220)Jim's Review
These two models are the bases for the kit which I have in my hands. I don't want to take any shortcuts and simply copy-and-paste the links to their reviews, but I can hardly write something new and revealing. Let me just write a few words about the differences I have found in my kit in comparison to the models mentioned above. I spent some time on comparing the sprues of my model with the pictures made by Jim and found some difference in the sprues layout: there is an additional wire cutter added to sprue H which I can not see on the Jim’s picture. To this Premium Kit Dragon has given us few additional sprues. One of them is sprue “K” which has the side boards and covers for the alternative trailer which can be build either as a trailer with the field base for the Flak gun and small tool/ammo box or as a big storage box shown on the box art (newly tooled). The second new sprue is the J-sprues (do you remember Agent J and Agent K fighting with the aliens on the cinema screen?) with some extra tools: shovels, crank, axe, wire cutters. Sprue L includes newly tooled road wheels which are also new. Some modelers on the net are pointing out a few other changes of some parts, but it is hard for me to judge if they are right or wrong. Another difference between the standard and premium kit is the painting scheme for the vehicle with the number “2” on the side. The separate track links molded on two sprues in the “basic” kit have been changed to the Magic Tracks. That's something I do not mind and I doubt if anyone else will. Dragon has given to us some more detailing parts. There are two more PE frets: MB (buckles), MD (chain&boxes) and a bag with the road wheel rims (just the same as given to the Bills' Pz.kpfw.I Ausf.A kit).

OK, STOP! It's too sweet! Is it possible that Dragon has made such a good model, giving us almost everything that a modeler needs? Not yet, because there are still a few tiny points left where we can gripe. One of them was my decal sheet which was obviously damaged while printing. Because this was done by the wrong mixture of pigments check what's inside your boxes before paying. Next thing is that the PE-frets are described in the instructions in a somewhat strange way: the fret with inscription “MB-OVB-Buckle” is described as “ME” and the rims for the wheels as “MB”. Not hard to make out which is which but slightly confusing and shouldn't happen with Dragon. One thing I really miss in the kit is a turned barrel or at least metal flash suppressor. And that's it, end of griping.

Conclusion

In my opinion it is simply a great kit. It is also a bit more expensive than the “standard” kit but definitely sure worth the few extra dollars (about 5$ more). If you want to have a perfect model on the shelf you will have to change the plastic barrel into metal, but I do not see any more things that really need improving. Highly recommended to everyone.

Related articles

These are the items already reviewed on Armorama which can be used with the kit reviewed above.Griffon 2cm FlaK 38 Barrel by Bill CrossLinkABER 2cm Barrels for Flakvierling 38 by Vinnie BraniganLinkDML 2cm Flak 38 mit Sd.Ah.51 by Vinnie BraniganLinkDML 2cm Flak Crew built review by Rudi RichardsonLink

Highs: Great level of details, many building options. Box containing almost everything you need. Lows: No metal barrel or at least flash suppressor. Some decals may be damagedVerdict: Highy recomended to everyone.

Comments

Thank you for the review, Michal, not only informative but gave me a few smiles too Shame about the decals, try contacting DragonCare (listed on the side of the box), service is excellent in the US and hopefully will be in your neck of the woods, also.
I especially like the 'Related Articles' section you compiled, along with the AM stuff related to the kit...thanks for doing all the homework on that! I think I'll have to go and pick that kit up along with some of those 'goodies' you listed!

This is not really a vehicle that appeals to me but as you have taken the time to review it I decided to leave a comment. You have done a very good job on the pictures (I wish mine would turn out as well) and apart from the decals which look to be in need of replacement and mentioning the replacement barrels, I think you covered most areas of interest.

Thank you guys. I simply wanted to write it the best I can, especially that the kit was provided by AM so it would be a shame for me to write a crapy article.
Well, I just thought that adding the related items would be usefull for the readers and because it wasn't difficult I gave it a go. Good to hear it was usefull. I think that if I will ever write any review or feature I will add this section to the article.
Thank you James for the DragonCare information, I forgot about that. The truth is I didn't think what to do with the decals yet.

Hi Michal ,
Show your review and thought i would make a comment or two ! I seem to remember a issue with Dragon's first Flakpanzer 1 boxing and it also stemmed from their first Panzer 1 ausf A kit !!! The return roller mounts on the hull sides were not in the correct places and not sure if the side plates on the superstructure had treadplate on them in the first release ! Thanks for a excellent review and Happy Modeling !!!
Joseph :

Nice, concise review!
Built the first edition - loved it (OK, there were those itty bitty links to cut off... and I actually did not appreciate the brass piece for the driver's compartment front - nor that tricky little PE shell basket bit - though in the end both did come out looking good). Actually built it strictly from the box (a first for me)!
The new Premium kit waits on my shelf... magic tracks, wheels with PE rings, a new box on the trailer, other new bits and fixes! What's not to like? I'll add a metal barrel and some small tweaks here and there, but, as confirmed in this review, seems like it won't need much!
I don't know whether those return rollers got fixed... but I can hope!
Dragon SCORES. Woot!
Bob